Split dove-tail gasket channel for round gasket material

ABSTRACT

A split dove-tail gasket channel structure includes a fir structure having a first external surface and a first edge plane substantially parallel to the first external surface, a first surface substantially perpendicular to the first edge plane, a second surface adjacent to the first surface and at an acute angle to the first edge plane, and a third surface adjacent to the second surface and at an acute angle to the first edge plane. A second structure has a second external surface and a second edge plane substantially parallel to the second external surface, a fourth surface substantially perpendicular to the second edge plane, a fifth surface adjacent to the fourth surface and at an acute angle to the second edge plane, and a sixth surface adjacent to the fifth surface and at an acute angle to the second edge plane. The first surface and the fourth surface are configured to complement one another, the second surface and the fifth surface are configured to complement one another and the third surface and the sixth surface are configured to oppose one another. A gasket is positioned between the third surface and the sixth surface to form the seal. In another embodiment, the sixth surface is positioned at an acute angle with respect to the fifth surface, creating a channel therebetween. Advantages of the invention include an upper structure and a lower structure that provide a good seal but with a smaller size and more consistent thickness than conventional structures.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a split dove-tail gasket channel forround gasket material.

BACKGROUND

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate conventional structures for employing round gasketmaterial in a groove or channel to form a seal between two parts. Thesegasket materials are typically rubber, silicon or other similarly supplematerial. The gasket material assists in providing a tight seal to, forexample, hold pressure within a chamber, prevent penetration of water ordust, or other similar application.

Conventional structures are described with reference to FIGS. 1-3. InFIG. 1, for example, an upper structure 10 includes a semicircularrecess 12 where the gasket 14 is seated. A lower structure 16 has acorresponding semicircular recess 18 where the gasket 14 is seated. Whenthe upper structure and the lower structure are pressed together, thegasket material deforms into gap 20 and provides a tight seal. As shown,the width of the upper structure increases at the location of the recess12. This enlargement is to provide a large contact surface between theupper structure and lower structure and to provide a wide gap in whichthe gasket can deform.

In FIG. 2, for example, an upper structure 10 includes a semicircularrecess 12 where the gasket 14 is seated. A lower structure 16 does nothave a corresponding recess where the gasket 14 is seated. When theupper structure and the lower structure are pressed together, the gasketmaterial deforms into gap 20 and provides a tight seal.

The conventional structures shown in FIGS. 1-3 provide the gapillustrated as 20 between the upper and lower structures to permit thegasket to deform into the gap 20 and provide a good seal. However, somegasket materials deteriorate when exposed to sunlight or destructivecontaminates. To reduce exposure to sunlight and contaminants, thestructure of FIG. 3 includes a sun block 22. The intent of the sun blockis to prevent the sun or contaminates from coming in contact with thegasket material. This structure further enlarges the width of the upperstructure and lower structure.

A significant limitation of these conventional gasket channel structuresis that they require that the upper structure and lower structure bewidened where the gasket is to be installed. This wider construction ofthe upper structure and lower structure is not desirable because it usesexcess material, causes higher cost, increases construction time becausethe machinists have to specially insure that the structures are properlyconstructed and free of manufacturing artifacts (e.g. burrs), and cancomplicate installation because of the increased size around the joininglocations.

What is needed is a structure that can provide a good seal with lessstructural materials, and that when the upper structure and the lowerstructure are joined has substantially the same thickness of the upperstructure and the lower structure.

SUMMARY

The invention overcomes the identified problems by constructing an upperstructure and a lower structure that provide a good seal but with asmaller size. An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a firststructure having a first external surface and a first edge planesubstantially parallel to the first external surface, a first surfacesubstantially perpendicular to the first edge plane, a second surfaceadjacent to the first surface and at an acute angle to the first edgeplane, and a third surface adjacent to the second surface and at anacute angle to the first edge plane. A second structure has a secondexternal surface and a second edge plane substantially parallel to thesecond external surface, a fourth surface substantially perpendicular tothe second edge plane, a fifth surface adjacent to the fourth surfaceand at an acute angle to the second edge plane, and a sixth surfaceadjacent to the fifth surface and at an acute angle to the second edgeplane. The first surface and the fourth surface are configured tocomplement one another, the second surface and the fifth surface areconfigured to complement one another and the third surface and the sixthsurface are configured to oppose one another. A gasket is positionedbetween the third surface and the sixth surface to form the seal.

In another embodiment, the sixth surface is positioned at an cute anglewith respect to the fifth surface, creating a channel therebetween.

Advantages of the invention include an upper structure and a lowerstructure that provide a good seal but with a smaller size thanconventional structures, and that when the upper structure and the lowerstructure are joined the union has substantially the same thickness ofthe upper structure and the lower structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Additional advantages of the invention will become apparent upon readingthe following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 depicts conventional structure according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 depicts conventional structure according to the prior art;

FIG. 3 dipicts conventional structure according to the prior art; and

FIGS. 4A-B depict dove-tail structure according to an embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment is described with reference to specificconfigurations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that variouschanges and modifications can be made while remaining within the scopeof the claims.

The exemplary embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 4A-B. Afirst structure 50 has a thickness denoted as 52. An external surface 54has an edge plane 56 substantially parallel to the external surface 54.A first surface 58 is formed substantially perpendicular to the firstedge plane 56. A second surface 60 is adjacent to the first surface 58and at an acute angle 61 to the first edge plane 56. Angle 61 can be,for example 0 to 10 degrees. A third surface 62 is adjacent to thesecond surface 60 and at a positive acute angle 64 to the first edgeplane 56. Angle 64 can be, for example, approximately 55 to 65 degrees.

A second structure 70 has a thickness denoted as 74. An external surface72 has a second edge plane 76 substantially parallel to the externalsurface 72. A fourth surface 78 is formed substantially perpendicular tothe second edge plane 76. A fifth surface 80 is adjacent to the fourthsurface 78 and at an acute angle 81 to the second edge plane 76. Angle81 can be, for example 0 to 10 degrees. A sixth surface 82 is adjacentto the fifth surface 80 and at a negative acute angle 84 to the secondedge plane 76. Angle 84 can be, for example, approximately 55 to 65degrees.

The first surface 58 and the fourth surface 78 are configured tocomplement one another, the second surface 60 and the fifth surface 80are configured to complement one another, and the third surface 62 andthe sixth surface 82 are configured to oppose one another.

A gasket 90 is positioned between the first structure and the secondstructure to complete the seal. The gasket 90 contacts the third surface62, the fifth surface 80 and the sixth surface 82. When the firststructure 50 and the second structure 70 are pressed together, thegasket 90 deforms and completes the seal. The first structure and thesecond structure will be held together, for example, by a latch or bolt(not shown).

The gasket 90 will also need room to deform as the first structure 50and the second structure 70 are pressed together. The fifth surface 80and sixth surface 82 form an acute angle with a first recess 92 wherethe gasket can deform. This surface 62 and surface 80 form an acuteangle with a second recess 93 where the gasket can also deform. As aresult, the first structure 50 and the second structure 70 are sealedtogether and contaminants can not penetrate between the union of thefirst structure 50 and the second structure 70.

Additionally, the thickness of the joint between the first structure andthe second structure 70 will be substantially constant. This is animportant feature because it allows the joint to be substantiallycontinuous and appear flush. Moreover, the structure prevents exposureof the gasket material to sunlight or other harmful contaminants.

Advantages of the invention an upper structure and a lower structurethat provide a good seal but with a smaller size than conventionalstructures, and that when the upper structure and the lower structureare joined has substantially the same thickness of the upper structureand the lower structure and shields the gasket material from sunlightand contaminants.

Alternate embodiments can be created, for example, by positioning theupper structure as the lower structure, or by exchanging the outersurface and the inner surface. Such terms are used to describe theexemplary embodiment and do not necessarily reflect the only way thatthe structures can be constructed.

Having disclosed exemplary embodiments and the best mode, modificationsand variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments while remainingwithin the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A split dove-tail gasket channel structurecomprising:a first structure having a first external surface and a firstedge plane substantially parallel to said first external surface, afirst surface substantially perpendicular to said first edge plane, asecond surface adjacent to said first surface and at an acute angle tosaid first edge plane, and a third surface adjacent to said secondsurface at an acute angle to said first edge plane and at an obtuseangle to said second surface; a second structure having a secondexternal surface and a second edge plane substantially parallel to saidsecond external surface, a fourth surface substantially perpendicular tosaid second edge plane, a fifth surface adjacent to said fourth surfaceand at an acute angle to said second edge plane, and a sixth surfaceadjacent to said fifth surface and at an acute angle to said second edgeplane; and wherein said first surface and said fourth surface areconfigured to complement one another, said second surface and said fifthsurface are configured to complement one another and said third surfaceand said sixth surface are configured to oppose one another.
 2. Thesplit dove-tail gasket channel structure of claim 1, wherein:said sixthsurface is positioned at an acute angle with respect to said fifthsurface, creating a channel therebetween.
 3. The split dove-tail gasketchannel structure of claim 2, further comprising:a gasket positionedbetween said third surface and said channel formed by the acute anglebetween said sixth surface and said fifth surface.
 4. The splitdove-tail gasket channel structure of claim 3, wherein:when said firststructure and said second structure are joined, a thickness of the jointis substantially the same as a thickness of said first structure andsubstantially the same as a thickness of said second structure.
 5. Thesplit dove-tail gasket channel structure of claim 2, wherein:when saidfirst structure and said second structure are joined, a thickness of thejoint is substantially the same as a thickness of said first structureand substantially the same as a thickness of said second structure. 6.The split dove-tail gasket channel structure of claim 1, furthercomprising:a gasket positioned between said third surface and said sixthsurface.
 7. The split dove-tail gasket channel structure of claim 6,wherein:when said first structure and said second structure are joined,a thickness of the joint is substantially the same as a thickness ofsaid first structure and substantially the same as a thickness of saidsecond structure.
 8. The split dove-tail gasket channel structure ofclaim 1, wherein:when said first structure and said second structure arejoined, a thickness of the joint is substantially the same as athickness of said first structure and substantially the same as athickness of said second structure.